From game-time decisions to injuries so significant they affect the value of every single position, let's break down the Fantasy and DFS impact of injuries for every Week 8 matchup. Know when to pivot and how your fantasy roster will be affected.
Below, you'll find a game-by-game look at the injuries you need to know that will have the biggest impact for Fantasy leagues, as well as the implications for DFS players. This week's list of notable names includes quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Derek Carr; running backs Chuba Hubbard, Ezekiel Elliott, James Conner and D'Andre Swift; receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Davante Adams, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf and Jaylen Waddle; tight ends Dalton Schultz, T.J. Hockenson and Darren Waller; and many others, including key offensive line and defensive injuries to know.
Notable injuries
- QB Russell Wilson (hamstring) - Cleared
- LB Baron Browning (hip) - Out
- LB Josey Jewell (knee) - Cleared
- WR Jamal Agnew (knee) - Questionable
- CB Shaquill Griffin (back) - IR
The big news in this matchup is that Russell Wilson is cleared and will play in London. The Jaguars have been adequate on defense and Russell Wilson has struggled to find consistency this season with less than 15 fantasy points in four games. Russell is a Fantasy QB2, and Fantasy managers should stick with more reliable options. However, this is good news for Courtland Sutton, who is coming off a game of three receptions on nine targets for only 23 yards. Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are low-end WR2 or flex options.
DFS impact
While Wilson returning could boost the value of Sutton and Jeudy, the Broncos will likely lean on the run as the Jaguars have struggled to stop rushing attacks. This game should a low-scoring affair and not ideal for DFS lineups.
Notable injuries
- RB Chuba Hubbard (ankle) - Out
- WR Laviska Shenault (hamstring) - Cleared
- OT Taylor Moton (knee) - Cleared
- LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder) - Questionable
- ILB Cory Littleton (groin) - Cleared
- CB Jaycee Horn (ribs) - Questionable
- CB Donte Jackson (ankle) - Cleared
- DT Matthew Ioannidis (concussion) - Cleared
- CB A.J. Terrell (thigh) - Out
- FS Jaylinn Hawkins (concussion) - Out
The Falcons will be without Terrell, which is a significant loss for their defense. This increases upside for DJ Moore, who is coming off his best game of the season with seven receptions on 10 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. With Terrell out, we could see a repeat performance for Moore, who will dominate target share. The absence of Hubbard makes D'Onta Foreman a solid RB2. Foreman had 15 carries for 118 yards and two receptions for 27 yards last week against Tampa Bay. Raheem Blackshear could see an uptick in volume but is not a viable Fantasy option and unlikely to make a significant impact on Foreman's volume.
The Panthers' secondary is dealing with injuries but it's not enough to erase concerns with Kyle Pitts or Drake London. Both players are risky options. Atlanta will likely remain committed to the run.
DFS impact
Atlanta's defense gives up the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, and the loss of Terrell increases value for Moore, who is only $5,300 on DraftKings. He's an excellent option. Although the matchup is more pass-friendly, Foreman still has potential as a value play priced at $5,300 on DraftKings.
Notable injuries
- OT Larry Broom (concussion) - Out
- C Lucas Patrick (toe) - IR
- RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee) - Doubtful
- WR Noah Brown (foot) - Questionable
- TE Dalton Schultz (knee) - Questionable
- OT Terence Steele (neck) - Questionable
- LB Micah Parsons (shoulder) - Questionable
- FS Malik Hooker (hamstring) - Questionable
The Bears are relatively healthy but the Cowboys are dealing with significant injuries. With Elliott doubtful, Tony Pollard is a fantastic option in all league formats. The Bears have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. A potential absence from Brown would have little effect on CeeDee Lamb but could boost opportunities for Michael Gallup, who has struggled since his return from a torn ACL. Gallup is only an option in 14-plus team leagues if Brown is out. Dalton Schultz continues to struggle with the knee injury that has plagued him for several weeks. Schultz played through the injury in Week 7 and was a late scratch in Week 6. Fantasy managers need to monitor his status carefully, and he is a low-end TE1 if active. But beware, he is at risk of in-game setbacks and remains a risky option.
For Chicago, even with Dallas defensive injuries, all Bears are risky starts. Bears running backs and pass catchers should be viewed as low-end flex options.
DFS impact
Pollard will be an incredibly popular pick with his value and upside priced $6,100 on DraftKings. Despite his popularity he is still a top-tier option in DFS. If Schultz were to miss time, increased opportunity would likely go to Jake Ferguson. Ferguson would be an interesting punt option at tight end.
Notable injuries
- WR Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) - Cleared
- TE Durham Smythe (hamstring) - Questionable
- OT Greg Little (Achilles) - Cleared
- OT Terron Armstead (toe) - Cleared
- DT Christian Wilkins (hand) - Cleared
- DE Emmanuel Ogbah (back) - Questionable
- ILB Jerome Baker (hip) - Cleared
- CB Xavien Howard (groin) - Questionable
- RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder, ankle) - Cleared
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (concussion) - Questionable
- WR Josh Reynolds (knee) - Cleared
- TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) - Cleared
- C Frank Ragnow (foot) - Cleared
- OG Jonah Jackson (neck) - Questionable
- OT Taylor Decker (neck) - Cleared
- DE Charles Harris (groin) - Out
- SS DeShon Elliott (finger) - Out
Miami is banged up but Waddle is cleared and has a fantastic matchup against a poor Lions defense. One injury to monitor is Durham Smythe. While Smythe is not a play in season-long leagues, his absence helps Mike Gesicki. Gesicki is coming off a five-point fantasy performance in PPR and has struggled to connect with Tua Tagovailoa. But Miami has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and Gesicki is a streaming option this week.
For Detroit, Fantasy managers will need to monitor St. Brown throughout the weekend. if active, St. Brown should start in all formats. Josh Reynolds was a low-end flex option and solid option in deep league formats prior to his injury. But in Week 7, Reynolds was very unproductive, still playing through an injury. Reynolds returns to a low-end flex option in a good matchup. D'Andre Swift was cleared earlier in the week, and Fantasy managers should feel very confident starting him. When healthy, Swift his operated as a top-five back.
DFS impact
DFS players looking for value in this game are unlikely to find it as all players are priced appropriately, despite injury concerns heading into the week. But with both teams struggling on defense, any healthy Dolphin or Lion is a viable option in DFS.
Notable injuries
- RB James Conner (ribs) - Out
- RB Darrel Williams (knee) - Questionable
- OT D.J. Humphries (back) - Questionable
- C Rodney Hudson (knee) - Out
- OG Max Garcia (shoulder) - Out
- K Matt Prater (hip) - Questionable
- LB Dennis Gardeck (ankle) - Out
- FS Jalen Thompson (calf) - Cleared
- None
James Conner is out for the third week in a row, making Eno Benjamin a potential low-end RB2. Minnesota's defense is average but Benjamin is coming off a game with 12 carries for 92 yards and one touchdown, plus four receptions for 21 yards. Fantasy managers need to wait for the final Friday practice report for more clarity on additional Cardinals players. If Darrell Williams is out or limited, Keaontay Ingram is a deep league option coming off a double-digit fantasy point performance.
DFS impact
Benjamin and Ingram have been priced up appropriate at $6,000 and $5,000, respectively, on DraftKings. Benjamin could operate as a contrarian play but it's a risky move that I wouldn't recommend with running backs like Tony Pollard, Rhamondre Stevenson, Dameon Pierce and Kenneth Walker all priced within $500 of Benjamin.
Notable injuries
- QB Derek Carr (back) - Cleared
- WR Davante Adams (illness) - Questionable
- WR Hunter Renfrow (hip) - Cleared
- WR Mack Hollins (heel) - Questionable
- TE Darren Waller (hamstring) - Questionable
- OT Jermaine Eluemunor (ankle) - Cleared
- LB Divine Deablo (back) - Questionable
- SS Johnathan Abram (illness) - Questionable
- WR Michael Thomas (foot) - Out
- WR Jarvis Landry (ankle) - Out
- TE Adam Trautman (ankle) - Questionable
- TE Juwan Johnson (hamstring) - Questionable
- OG Andrus Peat (pectoral) - Questionable
- CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) - Out
- CB Paulson Adebo (knee) - Questionable
Chris Olave will continue to operate as the clear WR1 for New Orleans. Even with Andy Dalton as the starter, Olave is a must-start in all formats with Thomas and Landry out. Las Vegas has given up the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and most points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Given the matchup, Tre'Quan Smith is a flex play in very deep leagues. Fantasy managers should monitor status for Trautman and Johnson as the Raiders have struggled to stop tight ends.
For the Raiders, Fantasy managers will need to monitor status for Adams and Waller throughout the weekend. If active, Adams should start, even with limitations given New Orleans' struggles.
DFS impact
Olave is the obvious value with Thomas and Landry likely out at only $6,000 on DraftKings. But their absence also increases the value for Alvin Kamara, who is priced $7,100 on DraftKings, despite averaging nearly 20 fantasy points for the past three weeks. Potential low value impact could fall to Smith, who is only $4,400 on DraftKings.
If Adams and Waller are out, Mack Hollins is an interesting value play at only $4,500 on DraftKings. Hollins is outsnapping Hunter Renfrow by a significant margin.
Notable injuries
- WR Nelson Agholor (hamstring) - Questionable
- WR Kendrick Bourne (toe) - Cleared
- C David Andrews (concussion) - Out
- OG Mike Onwenu (ankle) - Cleared
- OT Isaiah Wynn (shoulder) - Questionable
- DT Christian Barmore (knee) - Out
- CB Jonathan Jones (ankle) - Questionable
- SS Kyle Dugger (ankle) - Out
- WR Corey Davis (knee) - Out
- OT Duane Brown (shoulder) - Questionable
- OLB Quincy Williams (ankle) - Cleared
- DE John Franklin-Myers (illness) - Cleared
Although the Jets injury report is short, their losses are impactful. Davis is out and Elijah Moore is expected to be active. The Jets' pass volume has been extremely low but target share could be more condensed and Garrett Wilson could be a low-end flex option in deep leagues. With Breece Hall lost for the season and Davis out, Michael Carter is an RB2, even in a difficult matchup against the Patriots.
For the Patriots, the offensive injuries make little impact to your Fantasy team. Even with injuries to Agholor and Bourne, the Jets' receiving corps is unreliable in a bad matchup, outside of Jakobi Meyers as a low-end flex option.
DFS Impact
Garrett Wilson is a safer option in season-long leagues and hard to trust in DFS. However, Braxton Berrios could be an extreme cheap dart throw at just $3,700 on DraftKings. The Jets added James Robinson but it's unlikely he gets a significant workload this week. Berrios has been used out of the backfield and could see increased opportunities.
Notable injuries
- K Chris Boswell (groin) - Out
- CB Levi Wallace (shoulder) - Out
- OLB T.J. Watt (knee) - Out
- DT Larry Ogunjobi (knee) - Out
- DE Brandon Graham (hamstring) - Cleared
The Steelers did not activate Watt from IR so he will not return in Week 8. Pittsburgh will also be missing top kicker Chris Boswell, leaving undrafted free agent Nick Sciba to fulfill kicking duties.
Notable injuries
- QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) - Out
- FB Tory Carter (neck) - Out
- OG Nate Davis (foot) - Cleared
- NT Jeffery Simmons (ankle) - Questionable
- ILD David Long (groin) - Cleared
- WR Brandin Cooks (wrist) - Questionable
- WR Nico Collins (groin) - Out
- OG A.J. Cann (illness) - Out
- OT Kenyon Green (shoulder) - Out
- DT Maliek Collins (chest) - Questionable
- DT Rasheem Green (knee) - Questionable
Tannehill is out and Malik Willis will start for the Titans. While Tannehill has only been relevant in Superflex leagues, his absence does impact Derrick Henry and Robert Woods. Woods has struggled as a low-end flex option and should be avoided this week. Henry is impossible to bench but Fantasy managers should expect a mild decrease in production as Houston's defense could simply focus on stopping the run.
For Houston, Collins is out; if Cooks is active, he would see an increase in targets, making him a more reliable flex option.
DFS impact
This game as a whole is unappealing for DFS. The only viable option is Henry as a contrarian play with Tannehill out.
Notable injuries
- WR Dyami Brown (groin) - Questionable
- WR Jahan Dotson (hamstring) - Out
- TE Logan Thomas (calf) - Questionable
- OG Saahdiq Charles (illness) - Questionable
- LB Cole Holcomb (foot) - Out
- QB Matt Ryan (shoulder) - Out
- DE Kwity Paye (ankle) - Out
- LB Shaquille Leonard (back) - Cleared
With Dotson out and other pass catchers questionable, Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel should continue to see the bulk of target share for the Commanders. The two receivers combined for 50% of targets and had five receptions each. The Colts defense will receive a boost from the return of Shaq Leonard, but he could be limited.
DFS impact
Neither team has appealing DFS plays on offense but both defenses are excellent options. Washington is the lower priced option at just $2,600 on DraftKings and Indianapolis is the fourth highest-priced defense on the main slate at $3,700.
Notable injuries
- WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) - Out
- WR Jauan Jennings (hamstring) - Questionable
- FB Kyle Juszczyk (finger) - Out
- DT Arik Armstead (foot) - Out
- LB Dre Greenlaw (calf) - Out
- DE Samson Ebukam (Achilles) - Cleared
- RB Darrell Henderson Jr. (illness) - Cleared
- WR Van Jefferson (knee) - Cleared
The big news in this matchup is Deebo Samuel will miss Week 8. Samuel's absence boosts opportunities for George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk. San Francisco will likely lean on new RB1 Christian McCaffrey.
Injuries continue to plague the 49ers on defense. The 49ers are coming off two tough losses, giving up 28 points to the Falcons and 44 points to the Chiefs. Injuries make the matchup less daunting for the Rams but it's hard to trust Matt Stafford. Stafford had just 254 yards and no touchdowns in their last meeting. Henderson is cleared from the injury report and is a low-end RB1. Van Jefferson will return from IR and is expected to play. While he's a waiver wire add, Fantasy managers should avoid playing Jefferson in his first game back.
DFS impact.
While the Rams defense has remained tough all season, Kittle and Aiyuk are interesting contrarian plays as many may avoid the tough defensive matchup.
Notable injuries
- WR Kenny Golladay (knee) - Out
- TE Daniel Bellinger (eye) - Out
- OT Evan Neal (knee) - Out
- OG Ben Bredeson (knee) - Out
- DE Leonard Williams (elbow) - Questionable
- WR DK Metcalf (knee) - Questionable
- WR Tyler Lockett (hamstring, ribs) - Questionable
- WR Penny Hart (hamstring) - Doubtful
- RB Travis Homer (ribs) - TBD
- OLB Darrell Taylor (groin) - Questionable
- DE Poona Ford (ankle) - Questionable
Golladay remains out, so Darius Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson will continue to lead the Giants' receiving corps. Robinson is the preferred flex option of the pair and Slayton is a flex in deep leagues. With Kadarius Toney traded and Sterling Shepard out for the year, their usage should remain solid moving forward. While Bellinger is out, Fantasy managers should find streaming options at tight end outside of the Giants.
For the Seahawks, Metcalf is questionable so his status needs to be monitored throughout the weekend. While the Giants have been stingy on defense, Lockett should start in all formats if cleared. The absence of either Metcalf or Lockett opens the door for Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin is coming off a performance of four receptions on five targets for 67 yards and two touchdowns and is a flex option if either receiver misses Week 8.
DFS impact
Goodwin is a solid value play at only $4,400 on DraftKings if Metcalf or Lockett is out. Their absence also boosts the appeal of Kenneth Walker, as the Seahawks would likely rely on the ground game. And with a depleted Giants receiving corps, Robinson continues to be a good value play..
Notable injuries
- QB Aaron Rodgers (thumb) - Cleared
- WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring) - Cleared
- WR Allen Lazard (shoulder) - Out
- WR Christian Watson (hamstring) - Questionable
- OG Elgton Jenkins (knee) - Questionable
- OT David Bakhtiari (knee) - Questionable
- OLB Rashan Gary (concussion) - Questionable
- WR Jake Kumerow (ankle) - Cleared
- OT Spencer Brown (foot) - Out
The loss of Lazard is significant to an already depleted receiving corps. Randall Cobb is on IR and Watson is questionable, leaving Watkins and Romeo Doubs as the remaining healthy options. Amari Rodgers and Samori Toure could see increased opportunities but are not options in any format. Fantasy managers should be weary of Watkins and Doubs against Buffalo's defense.
DFS impact
Upside is limited for the Packers receivers in a tough matchup. They are not options in DFS. Expect Aaron Rodgers to continue his reliance on Aaron Jones, who caught nine of his 10 targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in Week 7. Jones is a risky option against Buffalo but the only viable option for the Packers.
Notable injuries
- WR Ja'Marr Chase (hip) - Out
- TE Hayden Hurst (groin) - TBD
- CB Eli Apple (hamstring) - TBD
- DT Josh Tupou (calf) - TBD
- DE Trey Hendrickson (neck) - TBD
- TE David Njoku (ankle) - Out
- WR David Bell (ankle) - TBD
- OG Wyatt Teller (calf) - TBD
- CB Denzel Ward (concussion) - TBD
- CB Greg Newsome II (oblique) - TBD
- LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (knee) - TBD
- DE Myles Garrett (shoulder) - TBD
The loss of Ja'Marr Chase is a significant hit to Cincinnati. Tee Higgins was already a must-start but becomes an instant top-10 option. Tyler Boyd is a WR2 with significant upside. Boyd is coming off a huge performance of eight receptions on nine targets for 155 yards and a touchdown and has seen a total of 15 targets over the past two games. Boyd is a proven asset and fantastic play against a struggling Cleveland defense. If active, the value for Hayden Hurst increases as well. Hurst has had double-digit fantasy points performances in PPR in three of the past four games.
The loss of Njoku opens the door for Harrison Bryant. Bryant is an experienced fill-in with regular usage in the Browns offense. Bryant is a TE2 steaming option in deep leagues.
DFS impact
Pricing for Higgins and Boyd is too good to pass up. They will likely be high-rostered but the value is fantastic in primetime slates and the showdown. Bryant is a solid value play with Njoku out.
